A promising year ahead for WiFi 7, multi-gigabit, cybersecurity, and managed services
We can expect an acceleration of faster networking technologies in 2026, as businesses upgrade their infrastructure to cope with user demand for more bandwidth, and further growth in managed services
In 2026, Zyxel Networks is expecting significant uptake of WiFi 7 and multi-gigabit networking technologies, while cybersecurity will become an even higher priority. While last year was dominated by Windows 10 upgrades, attention is now turning to networking, security and efficiency.
WiFi 7 comes to the fore in 2026
Accelerated adoption of WiFi 7 in 2026 will be driven by the need for faster connectivity, better coverage, more consistent performance, and by the availability of more network bandwidth. Rising bandwidth requirements are compelling organizations to upgrade infrastructure and adopt multi-gig switching. Multi-gig switches add another key advantage: increased PoE capacity capable of supporting higher-power WiFi 7 access points – something earlier generations of switches simply didn't possess. As a result, the upgrade to WiFi 7 goes hand in hand with the adoption of multi-gig switching.
What about WiFi 8?
You will start to hear more about WiFi 8 technology in 2026 – but our advice for now is that it is too early to consider. The 802.11bn standard is still in the early stages of development and will not be officially ratified until 2028. Investing in WiFi 7, however, will deliver immediate benefits, especially in industries such as hospitality, education and retail, where there is a need for consistent, reliable coverage over wide areas.
Multi-gigabit extends its reach across the network
The use of multi-gigabit switches has really gained momentum in recent months and in 2026 we expect them to become the standard choice, with 2.5G becoming the accepted minimum speed for every connection right across the network. The growth of PoE devices is also making multi-gig switches more appealing; our latest switches provide support for PoE++ (up to 90W on a single port) and higher overall PoE budgets, which makes deploying more power-hungry devices – such as WiFi 7 access points – straightforward and ensures they won't impinge on wider network performance.
Cybersecurity and networking get closer
In 2026, cybersecurity and networking will become even more intertwined and important. Rising cybercrime, flexible working and tighter governance will compel all organizations to review protection. Zyxel Networks' USG FLEX H Series of firewalls provide comprehensive multi-layered security and best-of-breed solutions right across the range, so SMBs can afford to have the same level of protection as larger organizations. In addition, the USG FLEX H Series can be monitored and controlled remotely through our Nebula cloud. Combine this with the simple yet in-depth reporting and analytics provided by our SecuReporter service, and you have an extremely effective and flexible set of options for network protection.
Managed services become more attractive
Managing a network can be a considerable challenge – especially for SMBs and businesses with little or no in-house expertise. More organizations are now asking managed service providers (MSPs) to monitor and control their networks and security. Increasingly, this is the preferred option for businesses of all sizes. We're expecting our MSP partners to experience another year of healthy growth in 2026 and as we continue to add to Nebula's capabilities, we're also expecting more of our customers to take the managed services route.
AI starts to show its power
We already have AI and machine learning in our products and services to identify and resolve potential issues earlier. In 2026, we're taking this further by enhancing the functionality of Intent – our natural language inquiry platform within Nebula. Users will be able to instruct the system to take specific actions, such as addressing a loss of power on an access point. This will save time for admins and MSPs and make it possible for them to do more with fewer resources.
Sustainability stays on the agenda
While some in the industry have placed less emphasis on the subject in 2025, sustainability remains firmly on the agenda for Zyxel Networks – and continues to be important to our customers and partners. Our commitment has not changed. In 2026, we will work even more closely with our supply chain partners to reduce carbon emissions. We will also increase the number of our products that use cardboard-only packaging and increase the use of recycled plastic enclosures for protection during shipment.
A continuum of advances
This year will see a continuum of advances that will make networking better, easier to manage, and more secure than ever. We will see rising adoption of WiFi 7 in parallel with the growth of multi-gigabit. There will be an even greater emphasis on protecting the network and increased use of managed services. AI will be an underlying theme that starts to have an influence on every aspect of IT and networking, making it easier to identify and resolve problems and to manage the network and security.
